Booster brake mechanism



spf.y 7i 194s. J. G. INGRES 2,448,981

lBOOSTER BRAKE MECHANISM Filed April 25, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 1 Sept. 7, l948.` J. G. INGREs BOOSTER BRAKE uncxumrsu Filed April 25. 1945v 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 7, 1948 BOOSTER BRAKE MECHANISM Jeannot G. Ingres, Richmond, Va., assignor to Empire Electric Brake Company, Newark, N. J., "a corporation of New Jersey Application April 25, 1945; lSerial No. 590,233 1'2 calms. (ci. 121-41) This invention relates to hydraulic booster brake mechanisms and more particularly a fluid pressure operated motor for use with such mechanisms.

Several types of booster brake mechanisms have been developed wherein the displacement of fluid from a vehicle master cylinder is utilized for operating a valve mechanism to energize a fluid pressure operated motor which acts to generate or assist in generating the desired braking pressures in the brake cylinder. Such devices ordinarily .utilize the displacement of fluid from the master cylinder to move a piston projecting into the high pressure cylinder of the booster to perform part of the work of generating the braking pressures.

In the interests of simplicity, ccmpactness, etc., valve mechanisms for apparatus of the character referred to have employed levers operable by uid displaced from the master cylinder to effect operation of valves carried by the iluid pressure responsive units of the motors. `Such levers have been found highly effective in use, particularly where it is possible to multiply valve movement in proportion to the rate of displacement of iluid from the master cylinder, thereby eilecting a rapid degree' of response of the fluid pressure operated motor to movement of the brake pedal.

An important object of the present invention is to provide an improved mechanism of the character referred to wherein an extremely simple type of valve operating lever is provided and wherein movement of the control valves is multiplied with respect to movement of the `'plunger which is subject to operation by fluid displaced from the master cylinder.

A further object is to provide such a device wherein both of the'vaives are arranged generally to one side of the axis of the motor, thus permitting the use of a simplified lever which need not straddle the axial plunger elements of the apparatus, and to providean arrangement of parts wherein through the use of changing axes of rocking movement of the lever, very rapid response of the valves to operation o! the brake pedal is provided.

A further object is to provide a mechanism of the character just referred to wherein the valve operating lever pivots on one axis to operate a valve, and then pivots on a second axis to operate the other valve, the rocking axes of the lever intersecting and the lever being provided at such intersecting point with a ball support which serves to assist in fulcruming the lever on either of its rocking axes.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent durlngthe course `of the following description. Y

In the drawings I have shown one embodiment of the invention. In this showing:

Figure l is an axial sectional view through the booster unit, the master cylinder and wheel cylinders and the connection of such mechanisms with the booster units being diagrammatically represented, ,l j

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail sectional view on line 2--2 of Figure 1, the motor casingibeing omitted, and.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1, the numeral lli designates the motor of the booster unit comprising dished casing sections l i and i2 between which is arranged a pressure responsive unit indicated as a whole by the numeral Il and referred to ln detail later. The casing section il carries an axial cylinder Il which may be welded thereto as at i5, the cylinder il. projecting a substantial distance beyond the casing section Il and being tapped as at I'l for connection with aline il. This line extends from a conventional master cylinder I9 having the usual piston (not shown) therein operable by a brake pedal 2li. Depression of the brake pedal displaces iluid from the master cylinder Il into the end 2l of the cylinder Il, constituting a low pressure chamber. as will be referred to later.

The casing section I2 carries a cylinder indicated as a whole by the numeral 25 arranged in axial alinement with the cylinder il. The cylinder 25 projects substantially into the interior of the motor and is tapped as at 26 for connection with a line 21 leading to the brake cylinders diagrammatically indicated by the numeral Il. The space 2! within the cylinder 25 constitutes the high pressure chamber of the mechanism in which is generated the pressure for operating the brake cylinders Il.

The pressure responsiveunit il comprises a diaphragm 32 having a peripheral bead i! clamped to the motor casing members by a splitl clamp 34 which also obviously serves to clampthe casing members il and I2 relative to each other. The pressure responsive unit II further comprises a diaphragm plate 3G having an annularshoulder 3l against which the inner periphery of the diaphragm 32 is arranged, the inner portion of the diaphragm being engaged by a plate heid in position by a snap ring 39. The diaphragm plate carries a tubular plunger 42 projecting therefrom and extending into the cylln er 29.

A plunger 45 is arranged in the cylinder I4 and carries an axial extension 46. Between such extension and the wall of the cylinder |4 is arranged a seal 41 held in position by a washer 48 flxed against displacementfrom the extension 45 by a pin 49. The plunger r45 is provided with an annular groove 52 slightly wider than and receiving the adjacent portion of a stop plate 53 (Figures 1 and 2) securedfby screws 54 tothe diaphragm plate 36. Obviously, the plunger 45 is movable to the right as viewed in Figure 1 relative to the pressure responsive unit of the motor only to the extent of the play between the plate 53 and the left hand side of the groove 52. Such side of the groove 52 will engage the plate 53 to effect movement of the plate 36 and plunger 32 in the event of a failure of power in the apparatus, as will be apparent. A compression spring 56 has one end seating against the plate 53 and its other end against a spring seat 51 engaging a ring 58 carried by the plunger 45.

The plunger 45 is provided with an extended portieri 60 extending through the tubular plunger 44. lFigure l is reduced as at 6|, and a seal 62 is arranged between the reduced portion 6| and the inner wall of the cylinder 25, the seal 62 engaging the plunger 42 and, engaging a ring 63 surrounding the inner end of the reduced portion 6 I.

The plunger 45 is provided throughout its length with an axial bore B6, the right hand end of which is enlarged as at 61 to form a valve seat 68 engageable by a ball valve 69. This ball is urged toward its seat by a spring 10 operating against a pin 1|. A rod 12, which may be made of flat material bent .into V shape, as shown in Figure 2, extends through the axial passage 66.-

One end of the rod 12 engages the end of the cylinder I4 to hold the ball 69 off its seat when the parts of the apparatus are in the off position shown in Figure 1.

In its present embodiment, the motor is preferably of the vacuum suspended type and the casing section I2 is provided with a suitable fitting 15 by means'of which the chamber 16 within the casing section I2 may be permanently connected to the intake manifold of the vehicle engine or other source of pressure.

with the chamber 16 through a port 18 (Figure 3) extending through the diaphragm plate 36. This port has a seat 19 engageable by a ball valve 80 tcbe closed thereby under the proper operating conditions.

The diaphragm plate carries a boss 85 having a. chamber 86 therein communicating with one end of a flexible hose 81, the opposite end of which leads to a suitable connection 08 extending through the housing section I2. The fitting 08 may directly communicate with the atmosphere, but preferably communicates with the atmosphere through a suitable air cleaner (not shown). The chamber 86 (Figure 3) has a valve seat 90 engageable by a ball valve 9| which is normally n seatedto disconnect the motor chamber 11 from the atmosphere or other source of pressure higher than that maintained in the motor chamber 16.

The valves 80 and 9| are controlled and operated `by a lever 95 which is substantially triangular in shape as clearlyvshown in Figure 2. For a purpose to be described, this lever is angularly arranged so that the left hand end, 0f the The right hand end of the extension 60 in e lever, as viewed in Figure 2, is substantially above the corresponding side of the plate 53. The ball valve 80 (Figure 3) carries a stem 96 extending through the adjacent end of the lever 95 and an adjusting nut 91 is threaded on the stem 95 and backed up by a lamb nut 98. A small coll spring 99 preferably surrounds the stem 90 between the lever 95'and ball 80. The 'other end of the lever directly engages the ball 9|, as shown in Figure 3.

As shown in Figure 1, the diaphragm plate 36 is provided with a substantially hemispherical recess |00 in which is arranged a ball |0| engageable in a similar but somewhat shallower recess |02 formed in the'plate 95. As will be further referred to below, movement of the plunger toward the right, (Figure 1) first swings the right end of the lever 95 (Figure 2) to close the valve 80, and such operation takes places with the lever 95 rocking on the axis indicated by the broken line |05 in Figure 2, the plate 95 bearing on the ball |0| and valve 9|. Such rocking movement of the lever 95 is limited to the point where the valve 80 (Figure 3) closes. Thereafter, the plate will rock on the axis indicated by the broken line |06 in Figure 2, the lever under such conditions rocking on the nut 91 and ball |00. The

correct sequence of operations of the lever as The other .chamber 11 of the motor normally communicates described is determined by the use of a suitable spring resisting movement of the end of the lever engaging the valve 9|. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, it will be noted that a wire spring '|08 has one end engaging the lever 95, the latter preferably being provided with a small recess |09 into which the end of the spring |08 is turned. The spring extends back of the plate 53, as viewed in Figure 2, thence through an opening in such plate, and the lower end of this spring is suitably bent at as ||2 to prevent its slipping through the opening The spring |08 urges the end of the lever which i* engages inwardly against the ball valve 9|.

The right hand extremity of the groove 52, as viewed in Figure 1, is formed by an annular flange ||4, and this flange engages the radially inner end |I5 of the lever 95, such end of the lever being turned into engagement with the flange ||4. The flange H4, when the parts are in the off position shown, fully releases the lever and the spring'l08 seats the air valve. 9| against atmospheric pressure.

As will be referred to later, a return spring ||1 is employed to return all of the parts to normal position, assisted by the spring 5B. This spring functions after the power-operated parts reach normal position to effect nal movement of the plunger 45 and associated parts to their off position.

The operation of the device is as follows:

The parts normally occupy the positions shown in Figure 1, as stated above, and when the brakes are to be applied, the operator presses downwardly on the brake pedal A20 in the usual manner. Fluid displaced from the master cylinder ilows into the chamber 2|, thence through the annular passage 66, the ball 69 being held unseated by the rod 12. Fluid flows from the chamber 29 through brake lines 21 into the brake cylinders to quickly move the brake shoes into engagement with the drums, the .brake slack thus being taken up without any movement of the plungers 42 and 45.

As soon as the brake shoes contact the drums, their further movement will be substantially resisted, thus causing a sudden increase ln the fluid pressure in the system. The cross-sectional area of the chamber 2| being greater than the area of the plunger extension 5| exposed to pressure in the chamber 29, the plunger 45 will move to the right, as viewed in Figure 1. This movement is transmitted to the radially inner end of the lever 95 to tend to move the radially outer end of the levertoward the left, as viewed in Figure 1. Such movement will be resisted by the spring |09. andthe air valve end of the lever il will be held in engagement with the bail valve 9|, and the leverwill rock on the axis |95 (Figure 2) formed by the balls 9| and.

III. The end of the lever associated with the vacuum valve Il (Figure 3) will be moved, and the lever engaging the nut 91 will immediately seat the valve 90 to close communication between the motor chambers and Il (Figure l) Particular attention is invited to the fact that since the movement of the lever 95 referred to will be a rocking movement on the axis |95 (Figure 2) the lever arm between this axis and the stem 95 will be substantially longer than the lever arm between the axis |05 and the lever end H5 (Figure l). Movement of the lever to seat the valve 95 thus will be greatly multiplied relative to movement of the plunger 45 to provide for a substantially instantaneous seating of the vacuum valve Il. The seating of thisvalve requires extremely slight movement of the plunger 45. As soon as the valve is seated, further turning movement of the lever plate 95 on the axis |05 will be prevented. Thereafter, the lever 95 will turn on the axis |05 (Figure 2), the lever seating on the ball |9| and on the nut 91 (Figure 3), contact of the lever with the nut 91 being maintained by virtue of the pressure of the spring |98. Turning movement of the lever 95 on the axis |05 relieves the pressure of the lever against the air valve 9| (Figure 3) and this valve will be moved from its seat by atmospheric pressure in t'he chamber'l 2l. Attention also is particularly' invited to the fact that the same multiplication of the leverv lengths occurs with the opening of the air valve 9| as with the closing of the vacuum valve 3|), the lever arm between the axis |95 and valve 99 being substantially greater than the inner lever arm through which motion is transmitted to the lever 95. The movement of the lever 95 to release the air valve 9| therefore takes place very rapidly with extremely slight movement of the plunger I5, and such movement of the lever 95 takes place against the resistance of the spring |08.

The admission of air into the motor chamber I1 upon the unseating of the air valve 9| establishes higher pressure in the chamber Il than in the chamber 1t, and movement of the pressure responsive unit I3 will be effected. This movement is transmitted through sleeve 42 and ring 53 (Figure 1) to the seal 52 to move the latter, as a plunger into the high pressure chamber 29. This movement, of course, takes place simultaneously with movement of the plunger end 6|. The operator thereby performs part of the work in building up the braking pressuresin the chamber 29 to apply the brakes. It will be understood that promptly upon movement of the plunger 45 (Figure l) toward the right, the rod 12 will release the ball 59 for movement toward its seat, and the entire area of the plunger end 5| thereupon becomes effective for assisting lnv building up pressure in the chamber 29. Reaction on the brake pedal 2l 6 obviously occurs through the resistance encountered by the plunger end 9| in building up pressure in the chamber 29, and the "feel in the brake pedal will be proportionate to the braking pressures in the chamber 29.

As soon as the braking pressure has been built up to the desired point, movement of the brake pedal 20 will be stopped. `No further movement of the plunger 45 will then take place and an extremely slight :additional movement of the pressure responsive unit i2 will result in relleving the pressure of the flange lll against the lever end H5, whereupon the spring |99 will seat the air valve 9| to prevent the further |I5, whereupon the vacuum valve Il will be cracked due to the higher pressure in the -motor chamber ll, and the differential pressure tending to move the pressure responsive unit I2 will be reduced .and the unit I l will become stationary.

The same effective lever lengthswhich result in the rapid operation of the valves 89 and 9| (Figure 3) to energize the motor l0 are eective for reversing the valve action to arrest movement of the pressure responsive unit i3 when the desired braking pressures are built up, as will be obvious. The valve mechanism provides for an extremely sensitive and accurate follow-up action. The lever 95 and associated elements are greatly simplified over prior structures, the lever being capable of being formed as an extremely simple stamping andthe entire lever is arranged to onevside of the axis of the plunger l5.. It is unnecessary to bridge or straddle the plunger, and the shifting of the turning axes is highly advantageous in lengthening the effective lever lengths for each of the valves 80 and 9|, thusproviding a motor whose response to operation of the brake pedal is extremely rapid as well as accurate. This is true of both the brakeapplying and releasing operations, as will be apparent.

When the brake pedal is released, the spring |09 holds the yvalve 9| seated against atmospheric pressure, and the releasing of the pressure in the flange H4 against the lever end ||5 permits the higher pressure in the motor chamber 'Il to unseat the vacuum valve 90, and this operation takes place very rapidly as stated to provide for a rapid balancing of the pressures in the motor chambers 16 and 11. The spring immediately functions to move the pressure responsive unit toward off position. The force of the spring is assisted by the return springs of the brake cylinders tending to displace fluid back into the chamber 29. Movement of the pressure responsive unit I3 is transmitted to the plunger 45 and associated elements through engagement of the plate 53 (Figure 1) with the left hand limitof the groove 52, assisted by the spring 59. Movement of the power-operated parts is limited by engagement of the plate 53 with the adjacent end of the cylinder Il, and after such position is reached, the spring 56 will move the plunger 45 and associated elements to their fully olT' position with the flange III engaging the plate audaci 53. The last increment of movement of the plunger 45 takes place with the rod l2 engaging the end of the cylinder Il to unseat the valve 69. This valve will remain oi its seat until the next brake operation and upon being unseated, fluid can :low from the chamber 2l into the chamber 28 to replenish any fluid leakage which may have occurred during the braking operation.

1. A fluid pressure motor comprising al casing having a pressure responsive unit therein, a pair of valves carried by said unit and operable for controlling pressures in said casing, and a plate mounted for bodily movement with said unit and forming an operating lever for sai'd valves, said plate being mounted to rock successively on two axes in its own plane to successively operate said valves to energize said motor.

2. A iluid pressure motor comprising a casing having a pressure responsive unit therein, a pair of valves carried by said unit and operable for controlling pressures in said casing, a plate mounted for bodily movement with said unit and forming an operating lever for said valves, said plate being mounted to rock successively on two axes in its own plane to successively operate said valves to energize said motor, and resilient means opposing movement of the portion of said plate associated with one valve whereby operation of said plate will first effect movement of the other valve. v

3. A fluid pressure motor comprisingv a casing having a pressure responsive unit therein, a pair of valves carried by said unit and operable for controlling pressures in said casing, a plate mounted for bodily movement with said unit and forming an operating leverl for said valves, and a single-point bearing engaging said plate and said unit, said plate having mechanical engagement with said valves at points spaced from each other and from said bearing whereby said plateis roekable on a pair of axes in its own plane intersecting at said bearing to successively operate said valves.

4. A fluid pressure motor comprising a casing having a pressure responsive unit therein, a pair of valves carried by said unit and operable for controlling pressures in said casing. a plate mounted for bodily movement with said unit and forming an operating lever for said valves, a single-point bearing engaging said plate and said unit, said plate having mechanical engagement with said valves at points spaced from each other and from said bearing whereby said plate is rockable on a pair of axes in its own plane intersecting at said bearing to successively operate said valves, and resilient means opposing movement of the portion of said plate associated with one of said valves whereby operation of said plate will first operate theother valve.

5. A fluid pressure motor comprising a casing having a pressure responsive unit therein, a pair of valves carried by said unit and operable for I 6. A diierential fluid pressure operated mote: y

comprising a casing, a unit in said casing movable by differential pressures in said casing o opposite sides of said unit, a pair of spaced valves carried by said unit, one of said valves being movable to closed position to close communication between opposite sides of said unit and the other valve being movable -to open position to connect the chamber at one side of said unit to a source of relatively high pressure, a plate forming an operating lever for said valves, a singlepoint bearing engaging said plate radially in-l wardly of said valves, means radially inwardlyoi said bearing for rocking said plate thereon to tend to move both valves, and resilient means opposing movement of said other valve whereby the rst named valve will be closed prior to opening movement of said other valve.

7.. A differential iiuid pressure operated motor comprising a casing, a unit ln said casing movable by differential pressures in said casing on opposite sides of said unit, a pair of spaced valves carried by said unit, one of said valves being movable to closed position to close communication between opposite sides of said unit and the other valve being movable to open position to connect the chamber at one side of said unit to a source of 'relatively high pressure, a plate forming an operating lever for said valves, a single-point bearing engaging said plate radially inwardly of said valves, an axially movable member projecting intosaid motor and engageable with said plate radially inwardly of said bearing to rock said plate thereon to tend to move said valves, and a spring device engaging said plate at a point closer to said other valve than to the tlrst named valve whereby movement of said plate will be a rocking movement on an axis predetermined by said bearing and said other valve to close said first named Ivalve, vwhereupon said plate will rock on a second axis predetermined by said bearing and said first named valve'to open saidv other valve.

8. A differential fluid pressure operated motor comprising a casing, a pressure responsive unit dividing said casing into chambers and movable in accordance with diierential pressures therein, said unit being provided with a port connecting 'said chambers, a pressure-balancing valve controlling said port, a. second valve carried by said unit and controllingl communication of one of said chambers with a source of relatively high pressure, said valves being spaced from each other, a plate having mechanical engagement with said valves, a single-point bearingengaging said. plate radially inwardly of said valves, a spring engaging said plate adjacent said second valve to normally holdthe latter seated against said relatively high pressure while said pressurebalancing valve is free to remain open, and means engaging said plate radially inwardly of said bearing to rock said plate thereon.

9. A differential fluid pressure operated motor comprising a casing, a pressure responsive unit dividing said casing into chambers and movable in accordance with differential pressures therein, said unit being provided with a port connecting said chambers, a pressure-balancing valve controlling said port. a second valve carried by said unit and controlling communication of one of said chambers with a source of relatively high pressure, said valves being spaced from each other, a plate. having mechanical engagement with said valves, a single-point bearing engaging said plate radially inwardly of said valves, a spring engaging said plate adjacent said second valve to normally hold the latter seated against said relatively high pressure, while said pressure-balancing valve is free to remain open, and a plunger movable axially of said casing and having a shoulder' engaging said plate radially inwardly of said bearing to eiect movement of said plate.

10. A differential tluid pressure operated motor comprising a casing, a unit in said casing movable by differential pressures in said casing on opposite sides of said unit, a pair of spaced valves carried by said unit, one of said valves being movable to closed position to close communication between opposite sides o! said unit, the other valve being movable to open position to connect the chamber at one side of said unit to a source of relatively high pressure, aplate bodily movable with said unit and forming an operating lever for said valves, asingle point bearing between and engaging said plate and said unit to one side of the line connecting said valves, springl means movable with said unit and engaging' said plate to tend to open said rst-named valve and to normally seat said other valve, and movable means engaging said plate and operable for rocking said plate on said bearing to close said firstnamed valve and then open said other valve.

11. A differential iluid pressure operated motor comprising a casing, a unit in said casing movable by differential pressures in said casing on opposite sides of said unit, a pair of spaced valves carried by said unit, one of said valves being movable to closed position to close communication between opposite sides of said unit, the other valve being movable to open position to connect the chamber at one side of said unit to a source of relatively high pressure, a plate bodily movable 'with said unit and forming an operating lever for said valves, a single point bearing between and engaging said vplate and said unit to one side of the line connecting said valves, spring means movable with said unit and engaging said` plate to tend to open said first-named valve and 'to normally seat said `other valve, and movable -means engaging said plate and operable for rockopposite sides of said unit, a pair of spaced valves carried by said unit, one of said valves being movable to closed position to close communication between opposite sides of said unit, the other valve being movable to open position to connect the chamber at one side of said unit to a source of relatively high pressure, a plate bodily movable with said unit and forming an operating lever for said valves, a single point bearing between and engaging said plate and said unit to one side of the line connecting said valves, a spring having one end fixed to said unit and its other end engaging said plate to tend to open said rst-named valve and to seat said other valve, and movable means engaging said plate 4ai: a point spaced from said bearing at the side thereof opposite said line to rock said plate on said bearing to close said first-named valve and open said other valve, said spring engaging said plate at a point such that greater force will be exerted thereby to tend to seat said other valve than to open said first-named valve.

f 'Y JEANNOT G. INGRES.

REFERENCES crrnn `The following references are 'of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

